Winemaker's Notes:

We are proud to introduce the 2000 Foothills Reserve—Foxen's answer to Cheval Blanc. Due to the overwhelming reception for the inaugural (and extremely limited) 1999 Foothills Reserve, we decided to make this special wine an integral part of the Foxen family. The fruit is sourced from the exciting new Happy Canyon viticultural area (located in the eastern portion of the Santa Ynez foothills, at the base of the Los Padres National Forest), and from a hillside vineyard (overlooking the Alamo Pintado corridor in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley).

This wine displays aromas and flavors of bright red currant, licorice, cherry, vanilla, chocolaty earth and exotic spice. The soft and plush merlot meets the firm structure and tannin of the cabernet franc. There is a long lingering aftertaste.

91 Points:
"Cool and firm in its structure, this blend of merlot (70 percent) and cabernet franc is richly fruited yet tense and fragrant, suited to lobster in the same seaside logic as an austere Bordeaux. An oceanic red."
- Wine & Spirits

About Foxen Vineyard:

Bill Wathen and Dick Dore have been making wine together since 1985, when they founded Foxen Winery & Vineyard at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Since that time, their dedication has remained the same - the creation of very small production, sustainably-farmed, vineyard-focused wines using a "minimalist" approach to winemaking. Foxen is named in memory of William Benjamin Foxen, an English sea captain and Dick's great-great grandfather, who came to Santa Barbara in the early 1800s and purchased the Rancho Tinaquaic. Captain Foxen adopted the distinctive "anchor" as his cattle brand, which became the trademark of the winery. Foxen is at home on the history Rancho Tinaquaic with its solar-powered winery, tasting room and 7200 "shack."